Rosie Perez

And she left the Catholic Church.

She turned in her habit because she didn't agree with certain things and how the children were being treated.

she stuck up for me.

She's the woman that told me, put your head down, study, education is your way out.

Do not give up.

She's the person that fought for me to just be seen in a room.

And she didn't have to do that.

And she wasn't supposed to do that.

And she did anyway.

There are people in my life such as

politicians who fought for certain type of policies that would protect children that we couldn't get hit anymore.

You know, that you had to treat us a certain way in regards to food and shelter and kindness.

They literally passed policy for that to happen.

People don't understand, like, I know I look cute, but I'm old.

I'm next to clearing my senior citizen check, okay?

That's how old I am.

And back then, people had the right to beat me.

They had the right to do certain things to me.

And there was no law to say no.

And people fought for that to happen.